The market is flooded with hundreds of different dog food brands, all of which are advertising that they’re the healthiest and best fit for your dog. Finding a good brand of dog food is a challenge regardless of what type of breed you have. While their breed and size do help you narrow down the thousands of reviews to go through, there are still tons of choices out there. We have done all of the tedious work for you and compared all the pros and cons of each brand to help you decide which dog food is truly the top choice for large dogs this year.

A Glance at Our Winners in 2024

The 11 Best Dry Dogs Food for Large Dogs

1. Purina Pro Plan Adult Shredded Blend – Best Overall

This dry kibble made by Purina is the best overall dry dog food for large dogs. The recipe contains large chunks of meat and encourages your dog to consume the nutritious pieces. It is also high in protein to keep your dog full and stick to its carnivorous diet. On top of that, they added glucosamine to help with joint health: an issue many larger dog breeds face.

Inside the kibble lives lots of probiotics that help aid in digestion. The crunchy texture helps to keep their teeth clean, but it does get a little messy for some dogs.

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2. Rachel Ray Real Chicken and Veggies Recipe – Budget Buy

Finding the best dry dog food for the money is a challenge because you don’t want to sacrifice quality for money, especially if it will negatively impact your pet’s health. This recipe by Rachel Ray uses farm-raised chicken and real veggies in its recipe. It’s not often that you see quality protein listed on a budget brand. It isn’t just the fact that real chicken as the first ingredient, though. The recipe also contains beet pulp which is high in fiber and aids in digestion. While it is full of antioxidants and taurine for heart health, this brand has been recalled in the past.

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3. Ollie Baked Chicken & Carrot Recipe Dog Food – Premium Choice

Ollie is best known for its fresh dog food, but did you know they have a dry food line as well? Ollie Baked Chicken Recipe is our premium choice for dry dog food, with a delicious high-protein, real ingredient recipe that is sure to make dogs go wild. This food comes in at 26% protein and 16% fat, which is ideal for the average dog in all life stages. The first ingredient is chicken, a healthy protein source and the main source of protein. The other main ingredients are oats, whole dried eggs, chicken liver, chickpeas, and pea flour. Oats are a healthy and easy-to-digest whole grain, and whole dried eggs and chicken liver are great sources of additional protein and fat.

All in all, we think Ollie’s Baked Chicken is the best premium dog food for large dogs.

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4. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Dog

Just because you have a puppy that is a large breed doesn’t mean that they should be eating the same food as the adults of that breeds. Hill’s Science is a veterinarian-trusted brand that provides your young dog with the precise nutrition they need to help their development. They use controlled levels of calcium to support bone growth, as well as high protein ingredients, which they turn into kibble right here in the USA. However, it is a little pricey, and there are some reports of it having a fishy smell.

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5. Holistic Select Large Breed Dry Dog Food

While you may be paying a high price, this kibble by Holistic Select Natural keeps all the undesired ingredients out of their recipes and only includes the good ones. Their food is free from wheat, gluten, and all artificial colors and flavor. They do use chicken meal instead of real chicken. However, their food is still full of fiber and contains flaxseed and cranberries for probiotics and digestive health.

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6. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dog Food

We list Hill’s Science again because they truly produce quality kibble for our pets. The first ingredient in this recipe for large adult breeds is real chicken with pork fat and chicken meal for even more nutrients. This food is also full of omega fatty acids, fiber, and vitamins. Unfortunately, they do use wheat and grains, which some dogs have sensitivities and allergies for. This could also cause some digestive issues.

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7. Diamond Natural Large Breed Adult Dog Formula

Even though a lot of us stick to feeding our dogs beef and chicken, one of the best lamb recipes comes from Diamond Naturals. The lamb flavor offers dogs a change of pace from their regular food, but it does use lamb meal instead of real lamb. It could also take dogs some time to adjust to the new flavor and high salt content. However, they do include chicken fat and glucosamine, as well as healthy superfoods such as chia seeds and kale that are rich in fiber.

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8. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula

The biggest draw to the Blue Buffalo brand is how much protein they pack into their foods. This recipe contains over 22 percent protein and is free from corn, wheat, and soy ingredients. The first two ingredients are chicken and chicken meal, so you can be sure they are getting plenty of good meat.

This is another food that seems to have a strong odor. The food isn’t of the highest quality. Plus, they have been recalled in the past.

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9. Iams Adult Large Breed Dog Food

This food by Iams strives to give large dogs all the food they need without making them suffer from obesity. While it is a budget brand, the recipe does include real chicken, chicken meal, and fat to give them lots of protein and use as many parts of the bird as possible. There are grains and artificial colorings inside, but we find that it is a safe option for those who are on a budget.

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10. Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Food

One thing that we really enjoy about the Eukanuba brand for large breeds is that they focus on joint health since it is so common in big breeds. The kibble contains lots of fish oil and glucosamine to help these issues. However, the food is rather expensive for the ingredients it uses. The sodium content is high, and they use corn as a filler for their food. This could cause some severe health issues for dogs with allergies.

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11. Wellness Complete Health Large Breed Dry Dog Food

Consumers love that the Wellness brand has a variety of protein sources so that your dog can get the most benefits from their diet as possible. Some of these include chicken, salmon, chicken meal, and whitefish. Other than that, there are more cons than pros. This brand does use grains that could cause digestive issues. The kibble is also really large and harder for older dogs to eat. There is no way to seal the bag, so it could even go stale. On top of all that, it is expensive for a lower quality product.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dry Dog Food for Large Dogs

There is no doubt that buying dog food for a specific breed can be confusing. How are you supposed to know the difference between what small breeds need and what large ones needs? Skim through our buyer’s guide to find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Do Dogs Need Special Food for Their Size?

While we can’t technically tell you that your dog needs a specific type of dog food, there is a purpose for it. When you buy a recipe that pertains to a specific dog size, it ensures that you are giving all of the essential nutrients and calories that your dog needs to live a healthy life. High-quality dog foods do tend to cost more money, so check and make sure that the ingredients listed align with what you are paying for. If you are still unsure about it, always go to your vet for advice on good brands to feed your pet.

What Do You Need to Look for in Large Breed Dog Food Recipes?

The main thing you need to pay attention to when picking out a food for your dog is the amount of protein in it. Dogs eat a mostly carnivorous diet, and protein that comes from real meat should always be the first thing listed on the ingredients list. Other things that tend to help large dog breeds are high amounts of fiber without empty fillers like corn.

Beyond the protein and fiber, check to ensure that the brand added the vitamins glucosamine, taurine, or chondroitin. These vitamins are crucial for joint health. Big dogs are more likely to suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, and other painful conditions, and these ingredients help to combat those as your pet ages.

Is My Dog Considered a Large Breed?

In general, dogs that weigh at least 50 pounds and stand at least 2 feet tall are considered a “large” breed. Dogs that weigh over 100 pounds and are over 26 inches tall are usually considered giant breeds.

Do Giant Breeds Require Different Food?

Even though your dog may be a giant breed instead of a large breed, you will likely still have to buy large-breed dog food. Unless your vet tells you otherwise, these dogs tend to need the same nutrition but with a slightly larger portion.

What if Your Dog Doesn’t Like the Food?

There really isn’t any way to tell if your dog is going to like the food you buy until you feed it to them. Sometimes, that means wasting money on food your dog won’t touch. Instead of throwing it away, donate the unused food to a dog shelter or other places in need.

Final Thoughts

With so many reviews to look over, it can become overwhelming to pick out a dog food brand for your large breed. Purina Pro Plan Adult Shredded has proven to be the best overall dog food for large breeds, but Rachel Ray is an excellent budget brand if you’re looking for something less expensive. If you’re really feeling like treating your pets, then Ollie’s Baked Chicken Recipe is the best premium option. Don’t assume that all dog food is the same. There are a lot of differences between each brand, and the last thing you want is to feed your pet low-quality foods that could make them sick.

• You might want to read next: Best Inexpensive Dog Foods for Large Breeds

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Featured Image Credit: Roberto Cabrera Castro, Shutterstock